Senate Gang of 8 to Release Immigration Reform Bill on Tuesday

Salem, Ore. -- On Tuesday, the Senate “Gang of 8” is expected to introduce legislation that represents a clear and inclusive roadmap for the 11 million undocumented immigrants living and working in America today to earn legal status and the privilege of citizenship. The political, economic, and moral imperative for legalization has never been clearer.

“We applaud the Senate “Gang of 8” and their outstanding staffs for their tireless work in negotiating and drafting immigration reform legislation and we welcome the introduction of a realistic and common-sense Immigration Reform Bill tomorrow”, said Francisco Lopez, Executive Director of Causa Oregon. “The time has come for Congress to enact common-sense immigration reform. Republicans need it.  Democrats have promised it. Voters of all political stripes strongly support it. And we are going to hold Congress’s feet to the fire to deliver it.”

Lopez added, “We will continue to be vigilant in raising important concerns around the following issues, among others, and to address these concerns with proposed amendments to the legislation that will be introduced tomorrow.”

• The unreasonable exclusion of categories of undocumented immigrants from earning legal status.
• Unrealistic hurdles or contingencies that will prevent legalized immigrants from obtaining permanent residence and citizenship in a reasonable time frame.
• Restrictions on family-based sponsorship.
• Heavy-handed border and interior enforcement.

"Causa and our allies both in Oregon and Nationwide pledge to work with all Members of Congress to make sure that legislation satisfies these basic requirements and is enacted this year.  The time is now!"

At 12 noon on Tuesday, April 16^th, Causa Oregon will gather with Oregon AFL-CIO and others for a press conference outside the Eugene office of Congressman Peter DeFazio in response to the release of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill by the Gang of 8.

Press Conference in Response to CIR Bill
Location: U.S. Congressman Peter DeFazio's Office
Date: Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Time: 12:00 Noon
Location: 405 East 8th Ave., Eugene, OR 97401

###

About Causa Oregon

Causa, Oregon's Statewide Immigrant Rights Organization is the largest Latinaand Latino civil and human rights and advocacy organization in the Pacific Northwest. We work to defend and advance immigrant rights through coordination with local, state, and national coalitions and allies. For more information, visit www.causaoregon.org